Channing Tatum Reveals How Ryan Reynolds “Fought” for Him in Marvelous Tribute
Channing Tatum shared how Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool & Wolverine made it possible for him to finally play X-Men member Gambit.
Look out, Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds has another Deadpool & Wolverine bromance.
Channing Tatum shared a touching tribute to Reynolds, 47, for allowing him to fulfill his dream Marvel role as Gambit—which he was in the newly released movie. The Magic Mike star posted two photos 10 years apart of himself and Reynolds at San Diego Comic Con, sharing the history behind his long journey to play the X-Men member.
“I sat in the audience when Ryan showed his first peek of Deadpool 1 to the world,” Tatum recalled of the 2016 film which Reynolds championed and produced, “and I think I ran backstage right after and found him and I think I just hugged him and was like holy s–t you did it man. It’s perfect.”
Tatum, who had been set to star as Gambit in a movie that was ultimately never made, admitted that at the time he didn’t know Reynolds well, but went on to sing the actor’s praises.
“Since then I can say that there is almost no one that has had my back in this industry more than Ryan,” the 44-year old—who is engaged to Zoë Kravitz—continued. “I thought I had lost Gambit forever. But he fought for me and Gambit. I will owe him probably forever. I’m not sure how I could ever do something that would be equal to what this has meant to me.”
Calling Deadpool & Wolverine a “masterpiece,” Tatum directed a note to Reynolds saying, “I love ya buddy.”
Tatum was one of several stars—including Chris Evans, Wesley Snipes and Jennifer Garner—who made small appearances in the film. But one of the most talked about cameos was the person behind Lady Deadpool. While many signs pointed to Reynolds and Tatum’s mutual pal to Taylor Swift, it was revealed that it was actually Blake Lively behind the role.
Reynolds and Lively are already parents to four kids—James, 9, Inez, 7, Betty, 4, and Olin, born in 2023. As for whether they’re open to having more in the future, Reynolds joked about his massive family to E! News in July.
“The more the merrier,” Reynolds quipped in a joint interview with costar Hugh Jackman. “As many as possible. As many little heartbeats as possible, just running around, wrecking stuff in the house. I love it. Let’s have more!”
Reynolds and Lively like to keep it real when it comes to being parents. Here’s what they’ve said about their family of six.
And the adoration was not one-sided. Reynolds, in turn, showered Tatum with love of his own, writing on his Instagram Story, “Imagine having a front row seat to this guy. He’s not only a once in a generation talent but he’s a genuinely good man.”
The Proposal alum, who has been candid in the past about his struggles to get his version of Deadpool to the big screen, added, “I know what it feels like to will a character into existence. Chan did that.”
Tatum was one of several stars—including Chris Evans, Wesley Snipes and Jennifer Garner—who made small appearances in the film. But one of the most talked about cameos was the person behind Lady Deadpool. While many signs pointed to Reynolds and Tatum’s mutual pal to Taylor Swift, it was revealed that it was actually Blake Lively behind the role.
And it was a full family affair as two of Reynolds and Lively’s kids, Inez, 7, and toddler Olin, played Kidpool and Babypool, respectively. And the actor was sure to give the full family—including daughters James, 9, and Betty, 4, a special shoutout ahead of the film’s release.
“I want to start by saying thank you to my wife Blake, who is here,” Reynolds said during the film’s world premiere July 22. “I want to thank my kids James, Inez, Betty, Olin, who are here: I hope that, if I’m lucky, this moment will be the most traumatic thing—that is, the contents of this movie—that happens in your wondrous life. I love that my entire family is here.”
